Hydrogen transport : Status and perspectives - Liquid hydrogen

Abstract

Hydrogen may be stored in solid hydrides, liquid hydrides, methanol, ammonia or as liquefied hydrogen. However, methanol, ammonia and liquid hydrides require hydrogenation and dehydrogenation plants and are dangerous to health and the environment, while solid hydrides present problems for loading and discharging. Liquid hydrogen (LH(2)) was found to be the most suitable for maritime transportation in a less polluting and economically acceptable energy system. In this paper problems arising from particular characteristics of liquid hydrogen are reported. A project for a clean energy system (EQHHPP) is described, together with other concepts for LH(2) maritime transportation. The prospective studies for a Dock ship and a SWATH ship, able to transport large amounts of LH(2), are also described.